Sorting system, sorting method, and program

Abstract

To enable reduction of installation work on a shelf and the like.SOLUTION: There is provided a sorting system supporting a sorting operation of articles using shelves having multiple sorting locations. The sorting system comprises: a reader that reads article information imparted to the article to be sorted; an acquiring unit that acquires location information associated with the article information read by the reader, using associated data stored in association with location information indicating each sorting location and article information indicating articles to be sorted at each sorting location; and a destination display unit that uses a shelf image that virtually displays the location of each sorting location on the shelf, and displays on the shelf image the location of the sorting location indicated by the location information acquired by the acquisition unit as a sorting destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sorting system, a sorting method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A sorting system is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This sorting system uses a display device that displays the number of sorted items and the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-284238 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above technology requires a display device to be installed on each shelf of the product rack, which requires installation work for the display device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such technical problems, and aims to make it possible to reduce the installation work on shelves and the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sorting system for assisting sorting of items using shelves having a plurality of sorting locations, the system including: a reading unit that reads item information attached to the items to be sorted; an acquisition unit that acquires location information associated with the item information read by the reading unit using associated data in which location information indicating each sorting location and the item information indicating the items to be sorted to each sorting location are associated and stored; and a shelf image that virtually displays the position of each sorting location on the shelf, and displays the position of the sorting location indicated by the location information acquired by the acquisition unit on the shelf image as the sorting destination. and displaying at least a part of the shelf image in a divided manner, and switching the display division to display the position of the sorting location.A sorting system is provided that includes a sorting destination display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above aspect, when the item information of an item is read, location information indicating a sorting location of the item to which the item information is attached is acquired based on the related data. Then, a shelf image that virtually displays the sorting location on a shelf is used, and the sorting location indicated by the acquired location information is displayed on the shelf image as a sorting destination.

[0008] Therefore, it is possible to notify the worker of the sorting destination of the article whose article information has been read, without installing a display device on each shelf.

[0009] Therefore, compared to the case where a display device that displays the number of sorted items and the like must be installed on each shelf, the installation work on the shelves and the like can be reduced.

[0010] In addition, the sorting destination of the item whose item information has been read is notified by a display. This eliminates the need for the operator to search for and sort the item marked with the sorting location from among the multiple items picked in a total picking process, as is the case in assortment sorting work when the name of the item to be stored is displayed at each sorting location.

[0011] This makes it possible to improve the workability of sorting work using the assortment method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of shelves used in a sorting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sorting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the portable device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of related data. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a shelf image. [Figure 6]10 is a flowchart of a sorting process. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a throw-in process. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a sorting destination search process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The sorting system according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] In this embodiment, we will explain an example of sorting work performed in a BtoC (Business to Customer) business model in which a company provides goods directly to general consumers. In this sorting work, we will explain an example of assortment work performed after total picking.

[0015] Specifically, in total picking, a certain amount of orders from multiple customers is collected together, and all items for the collected orders are picked in advance. Then, in the assortment method, the picked items are sorted by customer according to the collected orders.

[0016] This sorting system is a system that enables reduction in the work of installing devices on shelves or the like, and supports the work of sorting items using shelves with multiple sorting locations.

[0017] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of shelves used in a sorting system according to one embodiment. This sorting system uses multiple shelves each having multiple sorting locations.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a first shelf 12, a second shelf 14, and a third shelf 16 are installed side by side in a work area 10 where sorting work is carried out.

[0019] In this embodiment, the shelves 12 to 16 are installed side by side, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the first shelf 12 and the third shelf 16, which are located on both sides of the second shelf 14, may be arranged in a direction intersecting the second shelf 14, so that the shelves 12 to 16 are arranged in a U-shape, or the first shelf 12 and the second shelf 14 may be arranged in a V-shape.

[0020] By arranging the shelves 12 to 16 in this manner, the distance that the worker M has to travel can be reduced.

[0021] A red red marking 18 is provided along the upper edge of the top of the first shelf 12. A blue blue marking 20 is provided along the upper edge of the top of the second shelf 14. A green green marking 22 is provided along the upper edge of the top of the third shelf 16. In this way, the shelves 12 to 16 are color-coded.

[0022] The first shelf 12 has a plurality of first sorting locations 32. The second shelf 14 has a plurality of second sorting locations 34. The third shelf 16 has a plurality of third sorting locations 36.

[0023] Each of the sorting locations 32 to 36 is configured as a rectangular space partitioned by a partition. In each of the sorting locations 32 to 36, the articles to be sorted can be placed and stored.

[0024] The sorting locations 32 to 36 of each shelf 12 to 16 are arranged in four rows and five columns. The reference numerals of the sorting locations 32 to 36 arranged at each position will be accompanied by reference numerals indicating the rows and columns as necessary.

[0025] Specifically, the first sorting location 32 in the first row and first column of the first shelf 12 is marked with "-1-1" and is therefore designated as the first sorting location 32-1-1. The sorting location in the first row and second column of the second shelf 14 is marked with "-1-2" and is therefore designated as the second sorting location 34-1-2.

[0026] Each of the sorting locations 32-36 on each of the shelves 12-16 is provided with a frontage code 40. The frontage code 40 is, for example, a barcode. Each frontage code 40 corresponds to the corresponding sorting location 32-36 where the frontage code 40 is provided, and by reading the frontage code 40, it is possible to identify the sorting location where the frontage code 40 is provided.

[0027] A first floor switch 44, which is a sensor, is installed on a first floor surface 42 in front of the first shelf 12. A second floor switch 48, which is a sensor, is installed on a second floor surface 46 in front of the second shelf 14. A third floor switch 52, which is a sensor, is installed on a third floor surface 50 in front of the third shelf 16.

[0028] Each of the floor switches 44, 48, 52 is activated and outputs a detection signal when a load is applied to the floor surface 42, 46, 50 on which it is installed. This makes it possible to identify which floor switch the detection signal is from and determine which shelf the sorting worker M is in front of.

[0029] A search order is set for each shelf 12-16 when searching for a sorting destination for the item 110. The search orders include a shelf search order 54 indicating the order of shelves to search, and a first location search order 56, a second location search order 58, and a third location search order 60 indicating the order of sorting locations to search on each shelf 12-16.

[0030] The shelf search order 54 is set to, for example, the first shelf 12, the second shelf 14, and the third shelf 16 in that order.

[0031] The first location search order 56 is set to start with the first sorting location 32-1-1 in the first row, first column and end with the first sorting location 32-4-5 in the fourth row, fifth column. The second location search order 58 is set to start with the second sorting location 34-1-1 in the first row, first column and end with the second sorting location 34-4-5 in the fourth row, fifth column. The third location search order 60 is set to start with the third sorting location 36-1-1 in the first row, first column and end with the third sorting location 36-4-5 in the fourth row, fifth column.

[0032] Next, the schematic configuration of the sorting system 70 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the sorting system 70 according to this embodiment.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 2, the sorting system 70 includes a management device 72 and a portable device 74. For ease of understanding, one portable device 74 is shown in Fig. 2. However, the sorting system 70 includes multiple portable devices 74 according to the number of workers M.

[0034] The sorting system 70 also includes a sensor unit 76. The sensor unit 76 detects the current position of the worker M who is sorting. The sensor unit 76 includes a first floor switch 44, a second floor switch 48, and a third floor switch 52.

[0035] The management device 72 and the mobile device 74 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a network 78. The sensor unit 76 transmits a detection signal, which is the detection result, to the management device 72 and the mobile device 74 via the network 78. The network 78 is, for example, the Internet or an intranet.

[0036] (Management device) As an example, the management device 72 is configured as a server connected to the network 78. The management device 72 includes a communication unit 80 for performing wired or wireless communication via the network 78, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 82 which is a processor that performs various types of arithmetic processing, and a storage unit 84 that stores a database for storing various types of information, various programs, etc.

[0037] The storage unit 84 is a memory, a hard disk, or other known storage device. The storage unit 84 constitutes a storage medium that stores a program.

[0038] 1, the storage unit 84 stores position data indicating, for example, by coordinates, the position of each sorting location 32-36 on each shelf 12-16. The storage unit 84 also stores a shelf search order 54 and each location search order 56-60.

[0039] The storage unit 84 stores shelf images 151 that can virtually display the positions of the shelves 12-16 and the sorting locations 32-36 (see FIG. 5). The storage unit 84 also stores associated data 140 that associates and stores location information 144 that indicates the sorting locations 32-36 with item information 146 that indicates the items 110 to be sorted into the sorting locations 32-36 (see FIG. 4).

[0040] 2, the management device 72 is, for example, a computer that functions as a server, but may also be provided in a cloud environment. In other words, its physical form is software and a database. Therefore, the management device 72 may be installed either inside or outside the warehouse. The management device 72 may also be a virtual server that can be realized by virtualization technology.

[0041] (Mobile devices) The portable device 74 is carried by each of the multiple workers M for use in the sorting work. The portable device 74 may be attached to a cart or the like used by the worker M. In such a case, it can also be said that the worker M is carrying the portable device 74.

[0042] The mobile device 74 includes a smart device 90 and a scanner 92. The smart device 90 and the scanner 92 are connected to each other via a wired or wireless connection.

[0043] The smart device 90 is, for example, a tablet terminal, a wearable display, or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

[0044] The smart device 90 includes a communication unit 94 for wireless communication, a CPU 96 which is a processor that performs various calculation processes, and a storage unit 98 which stores a database for storing various information, various programs, etc. The smart device 90 also includes a display 100 as a display unit that displays various information, and a speaker 102.

[0045] The storage unit 98 is a memory, a hard disk, or other known storage device. The storage unit 98 constitutes a storage medium for storing programs. The programs stored in the storage unit 98 include a sorting program for executing a sorting method in the sorting system 70.

[0046] The scanner 92 is used to read an identification code 112 indicating product information attached to the product 110. The product information indicated by the identification code 112 read by the scanner 92 is sent to the smart device 90.

[0047] The product information indicated by the identification code 112 includes information about the product 110 to which the identification code 112 is attached. The information about the product 110 is, for example, the product name, product code, etc., and is information that can identify the contents of the product 110. This makes it possible to identify the product 110 from the identification code 112.

[0048] It should be noted that, instead of directly including information about the item 110 in the identification code 112, information for identifying the information about the item 110 may be included in the identification code 112.

[0049] The identification code 112 may be an optically recognized code such as a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or a color code that expresses coded information by changing color. The identification code 112 may also be a code that expresses information by a character string or a graphic. In Figure 1, the identification code 112 is shown as a barcode as an example.

[0050] Furthermore, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) medium that stores identification information in an IC chip can also be used as a type of identification code 112. When an RFID medium is used, the portable device is provided with an RFID reader instead of the scanner 92.

[0051] The scanner 92 may be integrated with the smart device 90. In other words, it is possible to adopt a mode in which the smart device 90 has a function as a scanner and a function as an RFID reader.

[0052] (sensor part) The sensor unit 76 is a device that detects whether the worker M is near a shelf. The sensor unit 76 is configured to include floor switches 44, 48, and 52 that detect the load on each of the floor surfaces 42, 46, and 50. The management device 72 or the portable device 74 can determine which shelf the worker M is in front of by identifying which floor switch sent the detection signal.

[0053] In this embodiment, the sensors that acquire the positional relationship between the shelves 12 to 16 and the worker M are configured as the floor switches 44, 48, and 52, but this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the sensors may be configured as human sensors that detect whether or not a person is present within a predetermined range.

[0054] When the sensors are configured as motion sensors, a motion sensor is installed on each shelf, and the detection range of each motion sensor is set to the area in front of the shelf it is installed in. This allows the management device 72 or the mobile device 74 to identify which motion sensor detected a person and thereby determine which shelf the worker M is in front of.

[0055] [Function Block] Next, the functionality of the portable device 74 of the sorting system 70 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0056] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of the portable device 74. Note that Fig. 3 shows a portion of the functions of the sorting system 70 as a block diagram, and each block does not necessarily represent a physical configuration.

[0057] In addition, in this embodiment, functions performed by the smart device 90 of the portable equipment 74 are described, but this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, at least some of the functions shown in FIG. 3 may be performed by other devices of the sorting system 70.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, the smart device 90 of the portable equipment 74 in the sorting system 70 includes a reading unit 120, an acquisition unit 122, a sorting destination display unit 124, a position acquisition unit 126, a search unit 128, and an error notification unit 130.

[0059] The reading unit 120 reads item information from the identification code 112 attached to the item 110 to be sorted. The reading unit 120 scans the identification code 112 attached to the item 110 using a scanner 92 connected to the smart device 90 to obtain information about the item 110.

[0060] The acquisition unit 122 uses the associated data to acquire location information associated with the identification code 112 read by the reading unit 120 .

[0061] As shown in FIG. 4, the associated data 140 is data in which location information 144 indicating each sorting location 32-36 and item information 146 indicating information on the items 110 to be sorted to each sorting location 32-36 are stored in association with each other.

[0062] An example of the related data 140 is a data table. The related data 140 is stored in the storage unit 84 of the management device 72. The smart device 90 acquires the related data 140 from the management device 72 via the network 78.

[0063] [Related data] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the related data 140. The related data 140 is stored with a customer name 142 indicating the customer who placed the order for the item 110, location information 144 indicating a sorting location previously assigned to each customer, and item information 146 indicating the item 110 to be sorted into the sorting location assigned to each customer.

[0064] 4 shows a posted flag 200 that is stored in association with each row of the associated data 140 when the associated data 140 is stored in the storage unit 98 of the smart device 90. The posted flag 200 will be described later.

[0065] The location information 144 includes a shelf number 148 indicating a shelf with a sorting location assigned to each customer, and a shelf position 150 indicating the location of the sorting location on the assigned shelf. The item information 146 includes a product name 152 of the item 110 to be sorted into the sorting location assigned to each customer, and a quantity 154 indicating the number of items 110 ordered.

[0066] The customer name 142 may be a customer code assigned to each customer, and the product name 152 may be a product code assigned to each product 110.

[0067] By searching for the product name 152 of the product information 146 using this related data 140, it is possible to obtain the location information 144 associated with the product name 152.

[0068] The sorting destination display unit 124 (see Figure 3) uses a shelf image that virtually displays the position of each sorting location 32 to 36 on each shelf 12 to 16, and displays the position of the sorting location indicated by the location information 144 acquired by the acquisition unit 122 on the shelf image as the sorting destination.

[0069] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the shelf image 151. The shelf image 151 is stored in the storage unit 84 of the management device 72.

[0070] In this shelf image 151, a display screen 153 surrounded by a dashed line indicates the range displayed on the display 100 of the smart device 90. The display range of the shelf image 151 displayed on this display screen 153 can be moved left and right.

[0071] The shelf image 151 has a first shelf image 160 showing the first shelf 12 , a second shelf image 162 showing the second shelf 14 , and a third shelf image 164 showing the third shelf 16 .

[0072] A red band 166 is displayed at the top of the first shelf image 160, and is configured to enable recognition that it indicates the first shelf 12. A blue band 168 is displayed at the top of the second shelf image 162, and is configured to enable recognition that it indicates the second shelf 14. A green band 170 is displayed at the top of the third shelf image 164, and is configured to enable recognition that it indicates the third shelf 16.

[0073] On each shelf image 160-164, location images 172-176 that virtually indicate the position of the corresponding sorting location are displayed in rectangular frames at locations corresponding to the sorting locations 32-36 on each shelf 12-16. Each location image 172-176 can be changed to match the number of sorting locations provided on the corresponding shelf.

[0074] In this shelf image 151, the location image indicated by the location information 144 acquired by the acquisition unit 122 is displayed in yellow, and the sorting destination can be visually recognized.

[0075] In addition, the location image displayed in yellow displays the number 154 associated with the location information 144 acquired by the acquisition unit 122 in numbers, so that the number of identical items 110 that should be placed in the sorting location indicated by the location information 144 can be recognized.

[0076] A left arrow 180 is displayed on the left edge of the second shelf image 162, and a right arrow 182 is displayed on the right edge of the second shelf image 162.

[0077] When worker M using the smart device 90 taps the left arrow 180 of the second shelf image 162 displayed on the display 100, the shelf image 151 is scrolled to the right and the first shelf image 160 outside the display screen 153 is displayed within the display screen 153. At this time, the speaker 102 issues a voice message saying, "Red, first shelf."

[0078] Furthermore, when worker M taps right arrow 182 of second shelf image 162 displayed on display 100, shelf image 151 is scrolled to the left, and third shelf image 164 outside display screen 153 is displayed within display screen 153. At this time, speaker 102 issues a voice announcement saying, "Green, third shelf."

[0079] A right arrow 184 is displayed on the right end of the first shelf image 160. When the worker M taps the right arrow 184 of the first shelf image 160 displayed on the display 100, the shelf image 151 is scrolled to the left and the second shelf image 162 outside the display screen 153 is displayed within the display screen 153. At this time, the speaker 102 issues an audio notification saying, "Blue, second shelf."

[0080] A left arrow 186 is displayed on the left edge of third shelf image 164. When worker M taps left arrow 186 of third shelf image 164 displayed on display 100, shelf image 151 is scrolled to the right and second shelf image 162 outside display screen 153 is displayed within display screen 153. At this time, speaker 102 issues a voice announcement saying, "Blue, second shelf."

[0081] Below each of the shelf images 160 to 164, an inserted item display button 190, a schedule list button 192, a product search button 194, and a back button 196 are displayed.

[0082] When the worker M taps the Display Inserted button 190, for example, a screen listing the items 110 that have been inserted to date is displayed on the display screen 153. When the worker M taps the Scheduled List button 192, for example, a screen listing the items 110 that are scheduled to be inserted is displayed on the display screen 153.

[0083] The product search button 194 is used to search for the product 110 to be sorted, and as described above, may be used to search for the sorting destination by reading the identification code 112 attached to the product 110. The back button 196 is used to return to the previous operation.

[0084] The sorting destination display unit 124 also displays at least a part of the shelf image 151 in a divided manner within the display screen 153, and switches the display division to display the position of the sorting location that is the sorting destination.

[0085] That is, as described above, a part of the shelf image 151 is displayed on the display screen 153 .

[0086] When the display category (part of the shelf image 151) displayed on the display screen 153 is switched, the location of the sorting location to which the items are to be sorted is notified by voice.

[0087] The location of the sorting place to be notified by voice may be, for example, the name of the shelf that has the sorting place to which the goods are to be sorted, such as "first shelf," "second shelf," or "third shelf."

[0088] The position acquisition unit 126 (see FIG. 3) acquires the current position of the worker M.

[0089] The position acquisition unit 126 estimates the current position based on the results of acquisition by a sensor that acquires the positional relationship between each of the shelves 12 to 16 and the worker M.

[0090] In this embodiment, in which the sensors are configured as floor switches 44, 48, and 52, the position acquisition unit 126 estimates which shelf worker M is currently in front of by identifying the floor switch that is the source of the detection signal indicating the detection of worker M's load.

[0091] On the other hand, if the sensor is configured as a human presence sensor that detects whether or not a person is present within the detection range set in front of each shelf 12 to 16, the position acquisition unit 126 estimates which shelf the worker M is currently in front of by identifying the human presence sensor that is the source of the detection signal indicating the detection of a person.

[0092] Furthermore, the location acquisition unit 126 estimates the current location based on the sorting location where the item 110 was most recently placed. Specifically, by using information about the sorting location where the item 110 was most recently placed, it is estimated that the worker M is near the shelf that has that sorting location.

[0093] When extracting a sorting destination from each of the multiple shelves 12 to 16, the search unit 128 searches for a sorting destination, giving priority to a sorting location on a shelf that is closest to the current position.

[0094] For example, before the start of the sorting work when no articles 110 have been put into each of the sorting locations 32 to 36, the sorting destination is searched for from the sorting locations on the shelves closest to the current position obtained from the sensor results. Also, after the start of the sorting work when the articles 110 have already been put into each of the sorting locations 32 to 36, the sorting destination is searched for from the sorting locations on the shelves that have the sorting location into which the articles 110 were put immediately before.

[0095] Furthermore, if there is no sorting destination on the shelf that has been searched preferentially, the search unit 128 searches for a sorting destination in a shelf determined based on the shelf search order 54, which is a search order that is preset for each of the shelves 12 to 16.

[0096] The shelf search order 54 is set in the order of the first shelf 12, the second shelf 14 and the third shelf 16, so if a sorting destination is not found even after searching the second shelf 14 close to the current position, the first sorting place 32 on the first shelf 12 is searched for as the sorting destination.

[0097] Furthermore, if there is no sorting destination on the shelf that has been searched for preferentially, the search unit 128 searches for a sorting destination on a shelf that is close to the sorting location where the item 110 was last stored.

[0098] For example, if the sorting location where the item 110 was most recently placed is the second sorting location 34-1-5 in the first row and fifth column of the second shelf 14, it can be determined from the position data of each sorting location 32 to 36 that the third shelf 16 is closer to the second sorting location 34-1-5 than the first shelf 12.

[0099] Therefore, in this case, if a sorting destination cannot be found even after searching the second shelf 14 close to the current position where the item 110 was just placed, the third sorting location 36 on the third shelf 16 is searched for as the sorting destination.

[0100] If the article 110 is placed in a location other than the sorting location displayed by the sorting destination display unit 124, the error notification unit 130 notifies the user of this.

[0101] More specifically, when the item 110 is placed in one of the sorting locations in accordance with the instructions of the sorting destination display unit 124, for example, the scanner 92 reads the entrance code 40 provided at each of the sorting locations 32 to 36. This allows the smart device 90 to determine whether the item 110 has been placed in a location other than the sorting destination based on whether the sorting location indicated by the entrance code 40 read by the scanner 92 matches the sorting location indicated by the sorting destination display unit 124.

[0102] If the item 110 is placed in a location other than the sorting location displayed by the sorting destination display unit 124, the worker M is notified of this and prompted to re-place the item 110.

[0103] (Operation description) Next, the operation of the sorting system 70 will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8 and in accordance with the processing procedure executed by a processor constituted by the CPU 96 of the smart device 90. The sorting method is implemented by the processor executing this processing procedure.

[0104] Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the sorting process, Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the input process, and Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the sorting destination search process.

[0105] When the processor constituted by the CPU 96 executes the sorting program stored in the storage unit 98, the processor executes a data acquisition process (step S1).

[0106] In the data acquisition process, data previously stored in the storage unit 84 of the management device 72 is acquired via the network 78 and stored in the storage unit 98 of the smart device 90.

[0107] The data obtained from the management device 72 includes the position data of each sorting location 32-36 of each shelf 12-16, data indicating the shelf search order 54 and each location search order 56-60, data for displaying the shelf image 151, and related data 140.

[0108] One example of a method for obtaining data from the management device 72 is to use the barcode on the picking label attached to the collection case that contains the items 110 collected by total picking. Specifically, the barcode on the picking label is read by the scanner 92, and data associated with the read barcode is obtained from the management device 72.

[0109] Then, the processor executes the input process (step S2).

[0110] 7, in the input process, the processor determines whether the identification code 112 indicating the item information 146 attached to the item 110 to be sorted has been read, depending on whether the item information 146 has been input from the scanner 92 (step SB1). In this step SB1, the processor waits until the identification code 112 is read.

[0111] This allows the worker M to pick out the item 110 to be sorted from the items 110 collected by total picking, and waits until the scanner 92 reads the identification code 112 indicating the item information 146 attached to the item 110.

[0112] When the product information 146 is read, the related data 140 stored in the storage unit 98 is used to obtain the location information 144 associated with the read product information 146 as the sorting destination (step SB2).

[0113] When worker M picks up a cola to be sorted and reads the identification code 112 attached to the cola with scanner 92, the processor obtains location information 144 of the row in which cola is stored as the product name 152 of the item information 146 indicated by identification code 112 as the sorting destination.

[0114] In this embodiment, the case where the process of acquiring the location information 144 associated with the read and acquired item information 146 as the sorting destination is performed after step SB1 will be described, but this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the process of acquiring the location information 144 from the item information 146 as the sorting destination may be performed in the sorting destination search process described later.

[0115] At this point, all location images corresponding to the location information 144 acquired as the sorting destination may be colored for a certain period of time to notify the worker M of all the sorting locations that are candidates for the sorting destination.

[0116] Then, the processor determines whether or not there is any place image displayed in orange among the place images 172 to 176 in the shelf image 151 displayed on the display 100 (step SB3).

[0117] Here, the orange display indicates that the article 110 has been placed in the sorting location corresponding to the orange location image, and details will be explained in step SB13 below.

[0118] If it is determined in step SB3 that there is no orange-colored location image, the processor executes a sorting destination search process (step SB5). If it is determined in step SB3 that there is an orange-colored location image, the processor returns the orange-colored location image to white (step SB4) and executes a sorting destination search process (step SB5).

[0119] As shown in FIG. 8, in the sorting destination search process, the current location of worker M is acquired (step SC1).

[0120] In this embodiment, the case where the current position is acquired from the positional relationship between each shelf 12-16 and the worker M will be described, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to detect which shelf the worker M is facing and determine the current position based on the detection result. For example, devices that can be used for this detection include RFID, WiFi, an acceleration sensor or microphone provided in a smart device, or a device that detects the line of sight of the worker M.

[0121] As a method of acquiring the current location, before the start of the sorting work when no articles 110 have been put into each of the sorting locations 32 to 36, the current location is estimated using a sensor. After the start of the sorting work when the articles 110 have already been put into each of the sorting locations 32 to 36, the current location is estimated based on the sorting location where the articles 110 were placed immediately before.

[0122] Here, we will explain the case where no articles 110 are being put into each of the sorting locations 32 to 36. In this case, when the worker M who will be sorting is in front of the second shelf 14, the second floor switch 48 installed on the second floor surface 46 in front of the second shelf 14 detects the load of the worker M and sends the result of the detection to the processor as a detection signal.

[0123] The processor then recognizes that it has received a detection signal from the second floor switch 48 and estimates that the current position of the worker M is in front of the second shelf 14. If the sensors are configured with the human presence sensors described above, the current position of the worker M is estimated based on the results obtained by each human presence sensor.

[0124] On the other hand, if the sorting work has already started, the processor estimates that the worker M is in front of the shelf having the sorting space where the item 110 was last stored, and estimates the position in front of the shelf having the sorting space where the item 110 was last stored as the current position. Specifically, if the shelf having the sorting space where the item 110 was last stored is the second shelf 14, the processor estimates that the current position of the worker M is in front of the second shelf 14.

[0125] Then, the processor selects a shelf to search based on the current location (step SC2), and then searches for the sorting destination from the sorting location on the selected shelf (step SC3). When searching for the sorting destination on the selected shelf, the processor searches for the sorting destination according to the location search orders 56 to 60 set for the selected shelf.

[0126] Here, when a detection signal is received from the second floor switch 48, it is estimated that the current position of the worker M is in front of the second shelf 14. Therefore, the processor determines the second shelf 14 as the shelf to be searched, and searches for the sorting destination from the second sorting location 34 on the second shelf 14.

[0127] Specifically, the processor extracts from the associated data 140 a row in which the shelf number 148 is stored as "2," indicating the second shelf 14. Next, the processor extracts from the extracted rows a row in which the product name 152 is "Cola."

[0128] Here, when extracting a row in which product name 152 is "Cola" from a row in which "2" is stored in shelf number 148, the processor extracts the row in which product name 152 is "Cola" according to second location search order 58 shown in Figure 1. Then, the processor obtains "2-4" stored in shelf position 150 of the extracted row.

[0129] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the shelf search order 54 is followed when extracting a row in which the product name 152 is cola from a row in which "2" is stored in the shelf number 148, but this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0130] For example, after the sorting operation has started, the processor may search for the sorting destination based on the height of the sorting location where the item 110 was placed immediately before.

[0131] A method of searching based on height is to search for a sorting destination by giving priority to sorting locations at the same height as the sorting location where the item 110 was last placed. In this case, the height of the sorting destination does not change, which improves workability.

[0132] In addition, when changing the search destination to another shelf after a certain number of consecutive sorting destinations at the same height, sorting locations at different heights may be searched for with priority when changing shelves. In this case, it is possible to reduce the strain on the lower back of the worker M.

[0133] At this time, the processor determines whether or not there is a sorting location on the searched shelf (step SC4), and if there is a sorting location on the searched shelf that can be used as the sorting location, it determines this sorting location as the sorting destination by temporarily storing it in the memory unit 98 (step SC5), and returns to the input processing.

[0134] On the other hand, if there is no sorting destination on the searched shelf in step SC4, the processor changes the shelf to be searched (SC6) and searches for a sorting destination on the changed shelf (step SC3).

[0135] Specifically, the processor extracts from the associated data 140 a row in which the shelf number 148 is stored as "2," indicating the second shelf 14. Next, the processor extracts from the extracted rows a row in which the product name 152 is "Cola."

[0136] At this time, if the processor is unable to extract a row in which the product name 152 is cola from among the extracted rows, it changes the shelf to be searched.

[0137] Methods for changing the shelf to be searched include changing the shelf to be searched based on a preset shelf search order 54, and changing the shelf to be searched to the shelf closest to the sorting location where the item 110 was most recently stored.

[0138] Here, if the sorting work has not yet started, the shelf to be searched is changed based on the shelf search order 54 set in advance.

[0139] 1, in the sorting system 70 of this embodiment, the shelf search order 54 is set to the order of the first shelf 12, the second shelf 14, and the third shelf 16. Therefore, if a sorting destination is not found even after searching the second shelf 14, which is closest to the current location, the first shelf 12 is set as the shelf to be searched.

[0140] On the other hand, if the sorting work has already started, the processor searches for a shelf that is close to the sorting location where the item 110 was placed immediately before.

[0141] For example, if an item 110 was just placed in the second sorting location 34-2-4 on the second shelf 14, the processor can use the sorting location position data to recognize that the third shelf 16 is closer to the second sorting location 34-2-4 than the first shelf 12. Therefore, if the processor searches the second shelf 14, which is close to the current position where the item 110 was just placed, but cannot find a sorting destination, it will select the third shelf 16 as the shelf to search.

[0142] Then, steps SC3 to SC5 are executed, the sorting destination is determined (step SC5), and the process returns to the input process.

[0143] In the input process shown in FIG. 7, the processor determines whether the sorting location determined as the sorting destination is within the display screen 153 (step SB6).

[0144] In step SB6, if the second shelf image 162 of the second shelf 14 having the sorting destination is displayed on the display screen 153, the processor performs the process of step SB8.

[0145] On the other hand, in step SB6, if the second shelf image 162 of the second shelf 14 having the sorting destination is not displayed on the display screen 153, the processor shifts the shelf image 151 and displays the second shelf image 162 on the display screen 153 (step SB7).

[0146] As a result, the processor displays at least a portion of the shelf image 151 on the display screen 153 in a divided manner, and also switches the display division to display on the display screen 153 a second shelf image 162 having the sorting location that is the sorting destination.

[0147] When the processor switches the image displayed on the display screen 153 to a second shelf image 162 that is part of the shelf image 151, the processor notifies the position of the sorting location to which the items are to be sorted by voice from the speaker 102.

[0148] As an example of the location of the sorting location to be notified by voice, the name of the shelf that has the sorting location to which the goods will be sorted can be "second shelf," and the speaker 102 will notify by voice, "blue, second shelf."

[0149] Next, the processor displays in yellow a location image indicating the sorting location where the items are to be sorted, displays the number 154 of the items 110 to be inserted numerically, and announces the product name 152 and the number 154 to be inserted by voice from the speaker 102 (step SB8).The processor then waits until the frontage code 40 is sent from the scanner 92 (step SB9).

[0150] 5, on the shelf image 151 of the display screen 153, the location image 174-2-4 in the second row and fourth column in the second shelf image 162 turns yellow, and the number "1" is displayed within the location image 174-2-4. Also, the speaker 102 announces the numbers "Cola" and "1" by voice.

[0151] This allows worker M to recognize that the sorting destination for the picked-up item 110 is the second sorting location 34-2-4 in the second row and fourth column of the second shelf 14. Worker M can also recognize that one can of cola should be placed in this second sorting location 34-2-4.

[0152] Then, worker M follows the display screen 153 to place the picked-up item 110 into the second sorting location 34-2-4 in the second row and fourth column of the second shelf 14, and reads the frontage code 40 provided at the second sorting location 34-2-4 with the scanner 92. The scanner 92 then sends the read frontage code 40 to the processor.

[0153] The processor to which this frontage code 40 is sent determines whether the item 110 has been placed in the correct sorting location based on whether the second sorting location 34-2-4 indicated by the sent frontage code 40 matches the second sorting location 34-2-4 determined as the sorting destination (step SB10).

[0154] In step SB10, if the item 110 is not placed in the correct sorting location, the processor sets an error flag stored in the memory unit 98, displays an error on the display screen 153, and announces "Placement error" through the speaker 102 (step SB11).

[0155] As a result, if the item 110 is placed in a location other than the sorting location displayed on the display screen 153, the processor will notify the operator M of a placement error and prompt the operator M to place the item 110 again.

[0156] The processor then clears the error flag that it set (step SB12), and waits until the frontage code 40 is sent from the scanner 92 (step SB9).

[0157] In step SB10, if the item 110 has been placed in the correct sorting location, the processor changes the display of the location image 174-2-4 indicating the second sorting location 34-2-4, the sorting destination, from yellow to orange to notify that the item has been placed (step SB13). At this time, the processor sets the placed flag 200, which is pre-associated with each row of the related data 140, from "0" to "1" (see FIG. 4).

[0158] Note that step SB13 may be omitted.

[0159] Then, the processor determines whether or not there are any articles 110 remaining that are to be put into the second sorting location 34-2-4 (step SB14).

[0160] Specifically, for the item 110 with product name 152 having shelf number 148 of "2" and shelf position 150 of "2-4", whether there is an item 110 that has not yet been inserted is determined from the inserted flag 200, as an example.

[0161] In step SB14, if there are any remaining items 110 to be placed in the second sorting location 34-2-4, the processor displays the location image 174-2-4 indicating the second sorting location 34-2-4, which is the sorting destination, in gray (step SB15), and returns to the sorting process.

[0162] On the other hand, in step SB14, if there are no remaining items 110 to be placed in the second sorting location 34-2-4, i.e., if all of the products for the customer for whom the second sorting location 34-2-4 is set have been collected, the processor returns to the sorting process and performs the processing.

[0163] As shown in FIG. 6, in the sorting process, the processor determines whether all items have been placed based on whether all of the placed flags 200 associated with each row of the related data 140 are "1" (step S3).

[0164] In step S3, if all the products have not been introduced, the processor returns to step S2 and executes the introduction process.

[0165] On the other hand, if all the products have been loaded in step S3, the processor ends the sorting process. At this time, the processor may communicate with the management device 72 and send a message to the management device 72 that all the products have been loaded.

[0166] (Action and effect) The main effects of the sorting system 70 configured as above will now be summarized.

[0167] The sorting system 70 of this embodiment is a sorting system that supports the sorting of items 110 using shelves having multiple sorting locations. The sorting system 70 includes a reading unit 120 that reads item information 146 attached to the items 110 to be sorted. The sorting system 70 includes an acquisition unit 122 that uses associated data 140 to acquire location information 144 associated with the item information 146 read by the reading unit 120. The associated data 140 is stored data in which location information 144 indicating each sorting location is associated with item information 146 indicating the items 110 to be sorted into each sorting location. The sorting system 70 uses a shelf image 151 that virtually displays the position of each sorting location on the shelf, and includes a sorting destination display unit 124 that displays the position of the sorting location indicated by the location information 144 acquired by the acquisition unit 122 on the shelf image 151 as the sorting destination.

[0168] According to this, when the item information 146 of the item 110 is read, location information 144 indicating the sorting location of the item 110 to which the item information 146 is attached is acquired based on the related data 140. Then, a shelf image 151 that virtually displays the sorting location on the shelf is used, and the sorting location indicated by the acquired location information 144 is displayed on the shelf image 151 as the sorting destination.

[0169] Therefore, without installing a display device on each of the shelves 12-16, the sorting destination of the article 110 whose article information 146 has been read can be notified to the worker M.

[0170] Therefore, compared to the case where a display device that displays the number of sorted items and the like must be installed on each of the shelves 12 to 16, the installation work on the shelves and the like can be reduced. Furthermore, since there is no need to install a display device on the shelves, the introduction cost can be reduced.

[0171] Furthermore, the sorting destination of the article 110 whose article information 146 has been read is notified by display. This eliminates the need for work such as finding and sorting the article 110 marked at the sorting location from among the multiple articles 110 picked in total, as is the case in assortment sorting work when the names of the articles 110 to be stored are displayed at each sorting location.

[0172] This makes it possible to improve the workability of sorting work using the assortment method.

[0173] In the sorting system 70, the sorting destination display unit 124 displays at least a part of the shelf image 151 in a divided manner, and switches the display division to display the position of the sorting location that is the sorting destination.

[0174] This makes it easier to find the sorting location to which the item is to be sorted from the shelf image 151 displayed in sections, compared to when the entire shelf image 151 is displayed.

[0175] In the sorting system 70, when the display category is switched, the location of the sorting place where the items are to be sorted is notified by voice.

[0176] According to this, the worker M can know the sorting place where the sorting is to be performed by the voice notification, and it becomes easier for the worker M to find the sorting place where the sorting is to be performed.

[0177] The sorting system 70 further includes a position acquisition unit 126 that acquires the current position of the worker M, and a search unit 128 that, when extracting a sorting destination from the multiple shelves 12 to 16, searches for a sorting location on a shelf that is closest to the current position as the sorting destination, with priority given to that location.

[0178] This reduces the amount of movement of the worker M, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0179] The position acquisition unit 126 in the sorting system 70 estimates the current position based on the results acquired by the floor switches 44, 48, and 52, which are sensors that acquire the positional relationship between the shelves 12 to 16 and the worker M.

[0180] This makes it possible to estimate the current location based on the results obtained by the floor switches 44, 48, and 52, which are sensors, even before the article 110 is placed in the sorting area.

[0181] The position acquisition unit 126 in the sorting system 70 estimates the current position based on the sorting location where the item 110 was placed just before.

[0182] This makes it possible to estimate the current location without using sensors, etc. This eliminates the need for sensors, etc., and the process of installing sensors, etc., making it possible to further reduce implementation costs.

[0183] When there is no sorting destination on the shelf that has been searched preferentially, the search unit 128 in the sorting system 70 searches for a sorting location on a shelf that has been determined based on a search order that has been set in advance for each of the shelves 12 to 16 as the sorting destination.

[0184] This makes it possible to determine which shelf is to be given priority for searching based on the shelf search order 54, which is a preset search order. This eliminates the need for judgment to determine which shelf is to be given priority, reducing the number of processing steps and shortening the processing time.

[0185] If there is no sorting destination on the shelf searched for with priority, the search unit 128 in the sorting system 70 searches for a sorting destination on a shelf close to the sorting location where the item 110 was stored most recently.

[0186] This makes it possible to reduce the amount of movement of the worker M when changing the shelf storing the item 110, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0187] The sorting system 70 further includes an error notification unit 130 that notifies the user when the article 110 is placed in a location other than the sorting location displayed by the sorting destination display unit 124.

[0188] According to this, if an item 110 is placed in a location other than the sorting location, this fact can be notified to prompt the worker M to re-place the item 110. This can prevent the item 110 from being mistakenly placed in the sorting location.

[0189] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment merely shows one application example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configuration of the above embodiment.

[0190] For example, the sorting program of the sorting system 70 may be stored in a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0191] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which sensors such as the floor switches 44, 48, and 52 are installed at locations corresponding to the shelves 12 to 16, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. The number of sensors to be installed can be less than the number of the shelves 12 to 16.

[0192] Even if the number of sensors installed is reduced in this way, if the identification code 112 of the item 110 to be sorted is read when no detection signals are input from all sensors, it can be assumed that worker M is in a position where no sensor is installed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0193] 10 Workshop 12 First shelf 14 Second shelf 16 Third shelf 18 Red display 20 Blue display 22 Green display 32 First sorting place 34 Second Sorting Area 36 Third sorting area 40 Frontage Code 42 First floor 44 First Floor Switch 46 Second floor 48 Second Floor Switch 50 Third floor 52 Third Floor Switch 54 Shelf Search Order 56 First Place Search Order 58 Second location search order 60 Third Place Search Order 70 Sorting System 72 Management device 74 Mobile Devices 76 Sensor section 78 Network 80 Communications Department 82 CPU(Central Processing Unit) 84 Memory section 90 Smart Devices 92 Scanner 94 Communications Department 98 Memory section 100 displays 102 Speaker 110 Goods 112 Identification Code 120 Reading unit 122 Acquisition Department 124 Sorting destination display area 126 Position acquisition part 128 Search Department 130 Error notification section 140 Related Data 142 Customer name 144 Location Information 146 Goods information 148 Shelf Number 150 Shelf position 151 shelf images 152 Product name 153 Display screen 154 Quantity 160 First Shelf Image 162 Second shelf image 164 Third shelf image 166 Red Belt 168 Blue Belt 170 Green Belt 172, 174, 176 Location images 180 Left Arrow 182 Right Arrow 184 Right Arrow 186 Left Arrow 190 Submitted items display button 192 Schedule list button 194 Product Search Button 196 Back button 200 Submitted flag M worker

Claims

1. A sorting system that supports sorting work of items using shelves having multiple sorting locations, a reading unit that reads the article information attached to the article to be sorted; an acquisition unit that acquires location information associated with the item information read by the reading unit using associated data in which location information indicating each sorting location and item information indicating the items to be sorted to each sorting location are associated and stored; a sorting destination display unit that uses a shelf image that virtually displays the position of each sorting location on the shelf, displays the position of the sorting location indicated by the location information acquired by the acquisition unit on the shelf image as a sorting destination, displays at least a part of the shelf image in sections, and switches the display section to display the position of the sorting location; A sorting system comprising:

2. A sorting system according to claim 1, When switching the display category, the position of the sorting location is notified by voice. Sorting system.

3. The sorting system according to claim 1 or 2, a position acquisition unit that acquires the current position of the worker; a search unit that, when extracting the sorting destination from the plurality of shelves arranged, searches for the sorting location on the shelf closest to the current position as the sorting destination with priority; A sorting system further comprising:

4. 4. The sorting system according to claim 3, the position acquisition unit estimates the current position based on an acquisition result of a sensor that acquires a positional relationship between each shelf and the worker; Sorting system.

5. The sorting system according to claim 3 or claim 4, the location acquisition unit estimates the current location based on the sorting location where the item was placed just before; Sorting system.

6. A sorting system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, when the sorting destination is not found on the shelf searched preferentially, the search unit searches for the sorting location on the shelf determined based on a search order preset for each shelf as the sorting destination. Sorting system.

7. A sorting system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, When the sorting destination is not found on the shelf searched preferentially, the search unit searches for the sorting location on the shelf closest to the sorting location where the item was most recently stored as the sorting destination. Sorting system.

8. A sorting system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, an error notification unit that notifies the user when the article is placed in a location other than the sorting location displayed by the sorting destination display unit; A sorting system further comprising:

9. A sorting method executed by a computer in a sorting system that supports sorting of items using shelves having a plurality of sorting locations, comprising: a reading step of reading article information attached to the article to be sorted; an acquisition step of acquiring the location information associated with the item information read in the reading step, using associated data in which location information indicating each sorting location and the item information indicating the items to be sorted to each sorting location are associated and stored; a sorting destination display step of using a shelf image that virtually displays the position of each sorting location on the shelf, and displaying the position of the sorting location indicated by the location information acquired in the acquisition step on the shelf image as a sorting destination, displaying at least a part of the shelf image in a divided manner, and switching the display division to display the position of the sorting location; A sorting method comprising:

10. A computer-executable program for a sorting system that supports sorting of items using shelves having multiple sorting locations, comprising: a reading step of reading article information attached to the article to be sorted; an acquisition step of acquiring the location information associated with the item information read in the reading step, using associated data in which location information indicating each sorting location and the item information indicating the items to be sorted to each sorting location are associated and stored; a sorting destination display step of using a shelf image that virtually displays the position of each sorting location on the shelf, displaying the position of the sorting location indicated by the location information acquired in the acquisition step on the shelf image as a sorting destination, displaying at least a part of the shelf image in a divisional manner, and switching the display division to display the position of the sorting location; A program that causes the computer to execute the above.

11. A sorting system that supports sorting of items using shelves with multiple sorting locations, a reading unit that reads the article information attached to the article to be sorted; an acquisition unit that acquires location information associated with the item information read by the reading unit using associated data in which location information indicating each sorting location and item information indicating the items to be sorted to each sorting location are associated and stored; a sorting destination display unit that uses a shelf image that virtually displays the position of each sorting location on the shelf, and displays the position of the sorting location indicated by the location information acquired by the acquisition unit on the shelf image as a sorting destination; a position acquisition unit that acquires the current position of the worker; a search unit that, when extracting the sorting destination from the plurality of shelves arranged, searches for the sorting location on the shelf closest to the current position as the sorting destination with priority; A sorting system comprising:

12. A sorting method executed by a computer in a sorting system that supports sorting of items using shelves having multiple sorting locations, comprising: a reading step of reading article information attached to the article to be sorted; an acquisition step of acquiring the location information associated with the item information read in the reading step, using associated data in which location information indicating each sorting location and the item information indicating the items to be sorted to each sorting location are associated and stored; a sorting destination display step of using a shelf image that virtually displays the position of each sorting location on the shelf, and displaying the position of the sorting location indicated by the location information acquired in the acquisition step on the shelf image as a sorting destination; a position acquisition step of acquiring a current position of the worker; a search step of, when extracting the sorting destination from the plurality of shelves arranged, searching for the sorting location on the shelf closest to the current position as the sorting destination with priority; A sorting method comprising:

13. A computer-executable program for a sorting system that supports sorting of items using shelves with multiple sorting locations, comprising: a reading step of reading article information attached to the article to be sorted; an acquisition step of acquiring the location information associated with the item information read in the reading step, using associated data in which location information indicating each sorting location and the item information indicating the items to be sorted to each sorting location are associated and stored; a sorting destination display step of using a shelf image that virtually displays the position of each sorting location on the shelf, and displaying the position of the sorting location indicated by the location information acquired in the acquisition step on the shelf image as a sorting destination; a location acquisition step for acquiring the current location of the worker; a search procedure for, when extracting the sorting destination from a plurality of shelves arranged, searching for the sorting location on the shelf closest to the current position as the sorting destination with priority; A program that causes the computer to execute the above.

14. A sorting system that supports sorting of items using shelves having multiple sorting locations, a reading unit that reads the article information attached to the article to be sorted; an acquisition unit that acquires location information associated with the item information read by the reading unit using associated data in which location information indicating each sorting location and item information indicating the items to be sorted to each sorting location are associated and stored; a sorting destination display unit that uses a shelf image that virtually displays the position of each sorting location on the shelf, displays the position of the sorting location indicated by the location information acquired by the acquisition unit on the shelf image as a sorting destination, and displays the number of items to be put into the sorting destination on the shelf image in an overlapping manner on the sorting destination; A sorting system comprising:

15. A sorting method executed by a computer in a sorting system that supports sorting of items using shelves having multiple sorting locations, comprising: a reading step of reading article information attached to the article to be sorted; an acquisition step of acquiring the location information associated with the item information read in the reading step, using associated data in which location information indicating each sorting location and the item information indicating the items to be sorted to each sorting location are associated and stored; a sorting destination display step of using a shelf image that virtually displays the position of each sorting location on the shelf, displaying the position of the sorting location indicated by the location information acquired in the acquisition step on the shelf image as a sorting destination, and overlapping the number of items to be put into the sorting destination on the shelf image with the sorting destination; A sorting method comprising:

16. A computer-executable program for a sorting system that supports sorting of items using shelves having multiple sorting locations, comprising: a reading step of reading article information attached to the article to be sorted; an acquisition step of acquiring the location information associated with the item information read in the reading step, using associated data in which location information indicating each sorting location and the item information indicating the items to be sorted to each sorting location are associated and stored; a sorting destination display step of using a shelf image that virtually displays the position of each sorting location on the shelf, displaying the position of the sorting location indicated by the location information acquired in the acquisition procedure on the shelf image as a sorting destination, and overlapping the number of items to be put into the sorting destination on the shelf image with the sorting destination; A program that causes the computer to execute the above.

Images